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    Assassins Of The Dead 1: Dark Blade
    Assassins Of The Dead 1: Dark Blade
    Assassins Of The Dead 1: Dark Blade
    Ebook202 pages4 hours

    Assassins Of The Dead 1: Dark Blade

    By Avril Sabine

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    About this ebook

    Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/Paranormal Short Novel
    Word Count: 39398
    Some heroes work in the shadows, only their deeds remembered.
    Meikah's family are templars, as far from necromancers as it's possible to be. When she learns that not only can she see the dead, but also wield magic, she fears what the future holds. She doesn't want to become a necromancer, or a dark blade, but there seems to be few choices now available to her. It doesn't help that people have begun to treat her like she's an evil necromancer and rumours have started. Nor does she believe Kellan when he says she belongs with the Assassins Of The Dead. They seem to be a mismatched group that include nobles, an assassin, a sorcerer, a shapeshifter and a vampire. Not at all like templars. And if she was to join them, the rumours will never end and her family might actually disown her.
    This story was written by an Australian author using Australian spelling.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCracked Acorn Productions
    Release dateOct 1, 2017
    ISBN9781925617191
    Assassins Of The Dead 1: Dark Blade
    Author

    Avril Sabine

    Avril Sabine is an Australian author who lives on acreage in South East Queensland. She writes mostly young adult and children’s speculative fiction, but has been known to dabble in other genres. She has been writing since she was a young child and wanted to be an author the moment she realised someone wrote the books she loved to read.Visit Avril's website to learn more about her and her many books. www.avrilsabine.com

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      Book preview

      Assassins Of The Dead 1 - Avril Sabine

      Chapter One

      Meikah strode along the edge of the road, her gaze focused on the cobblestones beneath her boots, trying not to think about the sealed parchment in the pocket of her trousers. It felt heavier than it should, the worry she tried to ignore getting worse by the minute. If it wasn’t for the fact that her sister would catch up to her, she would have walked slower to postpone arriving home.

      Trying to distract herself, she glanced at the various shops of Dreyton as she strode past, most of them preparing to close at this time of day. They lived not far from the shopping district, on the edge of one of the wealthier suburbs. Her mother wanted to move closer to the Duke’s castle, but it was almost impossible to buy anything in that district. No one wanted to sell.

      Meikah!

      She didn’t need to look behind to know her sister hurried after her. She could hear the sound of her boots against the cobblestones as she ran. Not slowing her pace, she ignored Ena in the hope she’d get the message and leave her alone. The sound of footsteps continued to come closer.

      Ena slowed as she reached Meikah’s side. Didn’t you hear me calling out to you? It wouldn’t surprise me if you failed today’s exam if that’s how much attention you pay in class.

      She tried to focus only on the sounds that her boots made against the cobblestones. But it couldn’t drown out Ena’s words.

      I heard what happened today.

      She’d have been surprised if Ena hadn’t heard. The whispers had begun almost immediately. Seconds after the stunned silence. At least she’d have four weeks off after today’s exam. If she failed, there’d be no returning to the academy.

      You should have paid more attention.

      I did. At twenty-two, her sister was four years older than her but always treated her like she was far younger. She didn’t know which was worse, the way Ena had always done better than her at the Templar Academy or the way she treated her like a child.

      Ena continued as if Meikah hadn’t spoken. Our family has a long history of those who’ve graduated with honours from the Templar Academy. You’re letting everyone down.

      Meikah was tempted to remind Ena their maternal grandfather had once been a beggar in the streets. Until his ability to see the dead had earned him a place at their paternal grandfather’s side. She doubted her words would slow the bragging of the honours Ena had received at each testing. Her shoulders dropped lower. Was it possible to somehow lose the results on the way home?

      A shout across the road interrupted Ena. Her brown eyes narrowed as she looked at the two young men who ran down the paved footpath, laughing. A man yelled after them, picking up the hat they’d knocked off his head, warning he’d get even.

      Poor Lila. She’s so embarrassed Kellan’s her brother. At least you’re not that lame. You try I suppose.

      Meikah slowed so she could watch Kellan as he continued to run down the street, his black hair tied at the nape of his neck, his companion keeping pace. She’d never seen the young man he was with before. He wore a hooded jacket, the hood having fallen back to reveal sandy blond hair tousled by the wind. The two of them wove through the handful of people standing around talking, resulting in more shouts at their antics as they ran around a corner.

      Ena grabbed hold of Meikah’s upper arm. Stop staring at them. Come on. We need to get home and find out how you did today. You better have passed. I couldn’t live with the shame if you failed.

      Meikah pulled away from her sister’s grip, stumbling on an uneven cobblestone. She took a step towards the paved footpath when a wagon rumbled past in front of her, two coffins securely tied in the back, chains and a padlock to prevent anyone from opening either of them.

      As if we don’t have enough vampires in town. The Duke should chase them out like they do in some of the other towns. Ena grabbed Meikah’s upper arm again, Come on. She let go before Meikah could pull away, striding towards home.

      Meikah stared after her sister. Like her, Ena wore the black trousers and long sleeved shirt of the Templar Academy, small brass buttons running down the front. Being as she’d past her first year, Ena wore a sword at her side and would soon pass her fifth year and start her three year apprenticeship with a templar. Meikah wanted to be able to carry a sword too. She brushed the tips of her fingers across her pocket, feeling the parchment beneath the fabric.

      Meikah began to follow her sister, who was getting well ahead of her. She eyed Ena’s rich brown hair that was kept extremely short, yet one more difference between them. Her hair was plaited so it hung down her back. Her sister kept telling her she’d be better off cutting it short. That a warrior needed an appropriate haircut. She feared she wasn’t much of a warrior. A true warrior wouldn’t have been nervous for an exam. She pressed her hand against the parchment in her pocket. A pity Kellan hadn’t run past her so she could have said he’d taken it from her. It was something no one would have doubted with the many pranks he’d played in the past year.

      Ena glanced over her shoulder. Hurry up.

      Meikah opened her mouth to warn her sister she was about to walk into a warrior. Her mouth remained open when her sister walked through him. A shiver ran through her and she came to a stop, staring at the warrior who began to cross the cobblestone road. He headed towards the man who’d yelled at Kellan, now dusting off his hat that he’d finally caught after a gust of wind had carted it along the footpath.

      Meikah? What are you doing? Close your mouth. You look like an idiot standing there gaping.

      The warrior drew his sword, continuing to stride towards the man who remained in place, checking over his hat.

      Ena walked back to Meikah, grabbing her by the arm again. What are you doing? Everyone will be waiting to see how you did in your first year exams.

      Can you see him? She pulled away from Ena.

      Who?

      The warrior with the drawn sword. Her mouth fell open again when she saw a woman ride her horse directly through the warrior like he didn’t exist. Spirit. The word was a whisper.

      What? Ena looked around. We can’t see spirits. We’re not necromancers.

      It’s not only necromancers who can see spirits. She didn’t like it when people insinuated her grandfather was a necromancer. He had no magical abilities at all. She continued to stare at the spirit that had almost reached the man who’d started walking towards the group talking near the corner. She wanted to turn away, pretend she couldn’t see. She didn’t want people thinking she might be a necromancer. But the man would die. Sorry. Before her sister could ask her what she was sorry for, she drew the sword from her sister’s scabbard and ran towards the spirit.

      The man glanced in her direction, breaking into a run when he saw her coming towards him.

      The spirit looked over his shoulder, turning around when he spotted her. You can see me?

      Yes.

      The spirit grinned. A necromancer with a sword. Fascinating. They tend to prefer daggers or straight magic.

      I’m not a necromancer. She had no magical ability.

      Then you can’t harm me, only be a minor hindrance.

      Meikah! Stop carrying on and bring my sword back.

      The spirit laughed. Those who can’t see are so entertaining. Step out of my way or the one calling out to you will be the next one to die.

      Fear for her sister raced through her. You will leave my sister alone. She swung at the spirit, her sword connecting with his, the sound of metal striking metal ringing out in the street.

      Ena screamed. The man who’d been running turned around and shouted for help. Several people called out the word ‘necromancer’.

      Chapter Two

      Meikah didn’t have time to look in her sister’s direction to see why she’d screamed. The spirit attacked, driving her back with each swing of his sword. Ena’s sword felt unfamiliar. Anger at the academy’s rule that student’s couldn’t carry weapons until they passed their first year rushed through her. Their stupid rule was likely to get her killed. Not that she knew what she could have done even if she’d been using a familiar sword. The warrior was a lot more skilled than her. What had she been thinking?

      You won’t change anything, the spirit warned. Once I’ve killed you, I’ll kill the one who screamed and then the man I was originally summoned to kill. Along with any others who might get in my way.

      Not today. She didn’t want to die. Or let her sister die either. She swung again. Lightning crawled along her sword as it collided with the other weapon. Shock momentarily froze her in place. A shout got her moving again.

      Throw yourself to the left.

      She had no idea why she obeyed the shouted words. More than likely it was the sword coming towards her. Possibly the shock at seeing magic flood along the blade of her sword. She landed hard on the cobblestones, turning so she could face the spirit.

      Before he could attack, a flaming dagger pierced his body. The spirit barely had time to look down at his chest before his body exploded in light, the dagger clattering to the cobblestones, the flames extinguished.

      Behind her, Meikah could hear her sister screaming at her to get to her feet. Ahead of her was the sound of running footsteps coming closer. It took her a few seconds to realise Ena believed the spirit was still there. She hadn’t seen him disappear.

      Are you all right? Kellen held out a hand.

      It was a few seconds before she was able to take it. I don’t know. Once she was on her feet, she looked at her sister’s sword she continued to hold. The blade seemed normal. She was unharmed, but that didn’t mean she was all right. She could do magic? It felt like the world tilted. She couldn’t do magic. It wasn’t possible.

      Kellen’s companion joined them. What happened?

      Meikah met his dark blue eyes, which were almost purple in colour, before she glanced around. I’m not sure. It all felt like a dream. A really bad dream.

      Are you hurt? Kellen looked her up and down.

      Meikah realised she continued to hold his hand. She let go, shaking her head, staring into his dark brown eyes. Not physically. She couldn’t bring herself to say those words aloud.

      Kellen looked past her. Then I’ll leave you to it before your sister reaches us. Sorry to say, but your sister is annoying. Worse than mine. He grinned before sauntering off, his companion following him.

      Ena stopped beside her. What is going on?

      Meikah held the sword out to her sister, not bothering to answer. If she was lucky, no one had seen the lightning dance along the blade. She couldn’t be a necromancer. No one in her family had ever been one.

      Well? Ena sheathed the sword.

      Meikah looked away, her gaze drawn to where the spirit had been killed. The dagger was gone. She glanced around. It was nowhere. All she could see were people staring back at her, talking quietly amongst themselves. She dreaded knowing what they said.

      Are you listening to me? Ena demanded.

      Meikah gave a half shrug, guessing that telling her sister ‘no’ wouldn’t be a good idea. Let’s go home.

      That’s what I keep saying. You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.

      She strode beside Ena, glancing over her shoulder at the crowd that continued to gather, one of the women pointing in her direction. She pressed her hand against her pocket to find the parchment was unharmed. A glance at her sister showed she’d probably notice if she tried to get rid of it.

      Well?

      Meikah gave another half shrug, not having paid any attention to what Ena had said.

      Kellen might have gone to the Spell Sword Academy, but it’s all the same. If you fail your first year at the Templar Academy you’ll end up like him.

      The sound of his laughter echoed in her mind followed by the image of his grin. A smile began to form. She suppressed it.

      Don’t laugh about it. Ena grabbed her by the arm and pulled her onto the paved footpath, out of the way of three horses that raced past them, heading in the same direction they were going. Grandad Maksim would be appalled if you failed. Especially after all the time he’s spent helping you train.

      Kellen didn’t fail. He was thrown out. It had been the talk of the town last year. And Grandad Maksim wouldn’t be disappointed. Only Grandad Harlen would be.

      They both would be.

      Recognising her sister’s tone, Meikah didn’t bother arguing. She also didn’t bother listening to what her sister said, staring at the corner that was coming closer. They were nearly home. She pressed her hand against her pocket, a glance at her sister. She’d lost all chances to get rid of the results. Not that it would have done little more than

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